Assembly is under way of the first Airbus A350 horizontal stabiliser, which is being constructed in Getafe, Spain. The main aerostructure is 17m (56ft) across, and Airbus's official A350-900 characteristics data states that the stabiliser will span 19m once complete. "Structural assembly will continue over the coming weeks, followed by the installation of the unit's electric and hydraulic systems," the European airframer said. The unit will then be taken by A300-600ST transport to Toulouse, for final assembly. US manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems has also shipped its first composite fuselage panels for the A350 from its facility in Kinston, North Carolina.

A350XWB horizontal tailplane

 © Airbus

Source: Flight International